States ranked by percentage of population fully vaccinated: Nov. 10
By Katie Adams for Becker’s Hospital Review Vermont has the highest percentage of its population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration data tracker. The CDC’s data tracker compiles data from healthcare facilities and public health authorities. It updates daily to report the total…
Q&A: Relationship between hypertension and CKD
For ACDIS CDI Blog Q: I’ve been told that if there are clinical indicators to support that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the etiology of a patient’s hypertension, a code from category I15 would be assigned. Code I12 is for hypertensive CKD, isn’t it? So why do we…
The era of surprise medical bills may be ending
By for Annie Nova for CNBC KEY POINTS The No Surprises Act, which takes effect in 2022, will greatly reduce the number of unanticipated out-of-network medical bills that many people are hit with during emergency medical treatment. “These bills are really the epitome of lack of choice combined…
CMS penalizes 2,499 hospitals for high readmissions: 5 things to know
By Ayla Ellison for Becker’s Hospital Review In fiscal year 2022, CMS will penalize 2,499 hospitals for having too many Medicare patients readmitted within 30 days, according to federal data analyzed by Kaiser Health News. This is the 10th year of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. To determine penalties…
Urology Coding Q&A: Can you explain the difference and appropriate use of modifier -57 vs -25?
By Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, Mark Painter for Urology Times “As always, document well and use the modifiers when appropriate,” advise Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter. Can you explain the difference and appropriate use of modifier -57 vs -25? Although this may seem like a basic question for many coders,…
Average charge for COVID-19 hospitalization, by state
By Alia Paavola for Becker’s Hospital Review The cost of a complex and noncomplex COVID-19 hospitalization in each state varies, according to a new interactive map from Fair Health, an independent nonprofit focused on enhancing price transparency in healthcare. To determine the average cost of both a complex and noncomplex…
Guest post: A method to the madness
By Howard Rodenberg, MD, MPH, CCDS for ACDIS CDI Blog In college, you were supposed to seek out professors who would challenge you to think broadly, to contest accepted ideas and norms, to develop a social conscience, to learn and grow and become a better version of yourself.…
CMS unveils billing codes for J&J, Moderna COVID-19 booster doses
Alia Paavola for Becker’s Hospital Review CMS unveiled Medicare Part B billing codes and payment allowances for administering booster doses of the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine for COVID-19. The FDA authorized booster doses for eligible adults Oct. 20 and unveiled the codes two days later. The doses must…
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